Red Sox acquire 3B Valencia for minor leaguer

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox have acquired third baseman Danny Valencia from the Minnesota Twins for a minor league outfielder.

Minnesota will get Jeremias Pineda, who was playing in Class-A.

The deal was announced during the Twins-Red Sox game at Fenway Park on Sunday.

Valencia, 27, hit just .198 with two homers and 17 RBIs in 34 games this season. He was assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket.

“Last year he led our team in RBIs with 72. The guy can play, he’s been productive for us,” Twins assistant GM Rob Antony said. “But the situation where he got off to a slow start, we sent him down to Rochester. He’s worked very hard to his credit … But this is just a situation I think where it’s a fresh start for Danny and an opportunity to come over here.”

The 21-year old Pineda was hitting .421 with 14 stolen bases in 36 games in the Gulf Coast League this season.